Will upcoming Black August celebrations in Newark be racist against white people?

Each year celebrations take place in the form of Hip Hop concerts throughout the nation which commemorate past movements that resisted oppression through white supremacy in the United States. The Nat Turner rebellion (1831), the beginning of The Underground Railroad (1850), the birth of Marcus Garvey (1887) and the March on Washington (1963) all occurred during the month of August. Starting in the early 1970s in California by members of the Black Liberation Movement, commemorative celebrations were held in honor of these historic events. The most public of these celebrations have been sponsored by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in recent times. In today’s environment, where the most talked about form of racism is ‘reverse-racism’ against white men, the Black August concerts may holla reverse-racism! The points of contention may rest on the mission behind holding the events and the audience they’re trying to reach.

The Black August Hip Hop Project, established by MXGM, Stress Magazine and Students for Jericho was created to “support and politicize the culture of our generation and use it to aid the struggle for human rights.”  To this end they have consistently brought together emcees, singers and poets that have more politically charged lyrics like Dead Prez, Eryka Badu, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, Mos Def, Boot Camp Click, Jeru the Damaja, Keith Murray, Black Ice, The Coup, Common Sense, and others. Not unlike current conservative Tea Party movements, these artists speak out against oppression perpetrated by the United States government. In fact sentiments that have been cleverly skilled in rhyme form for years by so-called conscious rappers are being mimicked to a certain degree by those who consider themselves true right wing conservatives. Even though the rhetoric of veterans like Dead Prez goes deeper than the average small government Tea Party activist, upon thoughtful consideration it would be surprisingly easy to find common ground. Another reported goal of Black August is “to link and address issues facing African communities globally like AIDS, poverty, incarceration, and police brutality.”(MXGM)

The points of contention for those who think Black August celebrations are expressions of reverse racism, may scrutinize the target audience of this outreach effort. On their website the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement says that they provide…

“a vehicle for artists and activists to oppose the genocide of African people, white supremacy and its propaganda, the criminalization of youth and youth culture, the advancing global prison industry, and the continued existence of political prisoners in the United States.” (MXGM)

They go on to say that they want “to develop and implement an International Human Rights Campaign using Hip Hop as a tool and common language.” So here it becomes evident that they recognize “that hip-hop is a vital part of youth culture… (and facilitates) exchanges between international communities.”(MXGM)

On these points of contention, unless a person identifies with the so-called ‘oppressor’, they should have no shock at the rhetoric being spit on stage. Also most people who support a cause are not necessarily direct victims themselves of the affliction or oppression. For example what would it be like if only those who had breast cancer, or AIDS, or domestic abuse, were responsible for supporting their movements? How could real change ever occur? Slavery wasn’t ended by slaves alone, but by freed slaves and Abolitionists, Quakers, and others. The Civil Rights movement wasn’t just about African-Americans, but minorities in general and women’s rights as well. Plus, who would be against anyone from one of those communities organizing themselves to fight against their own afflictions?

If you’re one who enjoys True School Hip Hop, you already know Black August concerts are ones where you can get a heavy dosage of conscious Hip Hop, instead of the brain-numbing simplicity from most of today’s popular rappers. If you are into politics, you too may enjoy a lot of the rhythmic articulations created by artists who are more politically aware than the average rapper.

Beyond the idea of supporting the cause, with only three of this year’s performers, you will get your money’s worth. They are NYOIL, Channel Live’s Hakim Green and Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers. Each of these emcees not only has an extensive repertoire of politically powerful verses but also ones which speak to the heart of urban youth. Far from being apologists and excuse makers, NYOIL, Hakim Green and Wise Intelligent shine a harsh mirror at Black youth for some of the circumstances they face. All the while, their mic dexterity, vernacular, flow transitions and delivery make for listening pleasure to a Hiphoppa. Judging by the cultural and generational diversity of the recent Rock Steady Crew anniversary, this year’s event August 21^st at the IYO on South 12^th Street in Newark should be one to grow on as well.